Cryptomancer

Cryptomancer is a tabletop role-playing game made for hackers, by hackers. It features an original fantasy setting and gameplay informed by diverse security disciplines: information security, physical security, intelligence analysis, clandestine tradecraft, and risk management. Players assume the role of characters on the run from a shadowy organization that rules the world through mass surveillance, propaganda, and political coercion.

Explore a rich fantasy setting connected by the Shardscape, the magical equivalent of the Internet

Attack and defend fantasy networks built upon real networking and cryptography principles

Build up your safehouse and manage covert cells of spies, scouts, political agitators, and assassins

Customize your character with dozens of talents and spells emphasizing stealth, deception, and creative problem-solving

Sorry if this was explained in the sourcebook and I just missed it, but how do you calculate the cost of a custom weapon? Is there some equation to use based on its rules/properties?

Gregory WJuly 27, 2019 5:21 am UTC

PURCHASER

Still love this game. And now that another year has passed, I am going to ask, any plans to keep it going with new books?

Chad WJuly 27, 2019 6:37 pm UTC

PUBLISHER

Cryptomancer 2.0. Launching Kickstarter in 2020 some time. New game, new vibe. Full color. 100 years after the Spire fell. Your safehouse is an Airship. Cheers.

Gregory WJune 14, 2018 9:00 pm UTC

So I have both the core book and the CodeDagger 1. I was wondering if you had any plans to continue the franchise or is it basically done? I would like to see more.

Chad WJune 15, 2018 2:44 pm UTC

PUBLISHER

Code and Dagger 2 came out. It's free on DriveThru if you bought the core book, but contact me via the game's webpage and i'll hook you up if you need it.
I'd like to do another Code and Dagger 2 next year. There' some user made content here, too: https://fifthlevelnerd.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/cryptomancer-group.pdf

Jeff MMarch 29, 2018 11:34 pm UTC

PURCHASER

hello, i have a question more about the setting, was it more or less inspired by .hack or Sword Art Online ? just currious.

It has absolutely no "virtual reality" or "digital alternate reality" component at all.

Jeff MApril 03, 2018 12:54 pm UTC

PURCHASER

I see, at first glance it looked like it, thanks for you for the answers.

Chad WApril 05, 2018 11:00 pm UTC

PUBLISHER

Thank you for asking, and for purchasing. :D

Ralph TNovember 17, 2017 5:12 pm UTC

PURCHASER

I see two PDFs with the same Cryptomancer titles, and at a quick glance I don't see anything different in the two. They are both black and white, have the same 430 pages, and the same Table of Contents, so what is the difference in the two PDFs?

Chad WNovember 24, 2017 6:37 pm UTC

PUBLISHER

One *might* contain bookmarks(?). Honestly, I didn't want to remove either in case it somehow would negatively impact availability of the download.

Mak KMarch 16, 2018 3:33 pm UTC

PURCHASER

Both have the same MD5 hash, and so are exactly the same.

Chad WAugust 13, 2017 4:19 pm UTC

PUBLISHER

A purchase of Cryptomancer now includes Volume I and II of "Code & Dagger," the official Cryptomancer sourcebook.

David-Christian LAugust 31, 2018 6:13 pm UTC

PURCHASER

That's really cool. But I assume these Volumes are not included in a POD of the core book, are they?

Chad WAugust 31, 2018 6:23 pm UTC

PUBLISHER

They come with the PDF purchase. If you want them, you can contact me via the contact information on the cryptorpg.com homepage

Chris TJanuary 29, 2017 8:40 pm UTC

I'm truly puzzled as to why the game's description isn't more transparent about being a death spiral, or at least why it doesn't take some pains to emphasize the inherent hopelessness of the setting. If I hadn't read multiple reviews both on and off this site I'd have assumed it was a more neutral, or even player empowering game, would likely have bought it, and been left a very unhappy customer. That's simply not my game.
There IS a very solid market for those who enjoy a doomed struggle, and thus no need to conceal or obfuscate the setting's nature. I'm disappointed that I had discover this via third party commentary.

Edit: I am aware of the free expansion as mentioned in the publisher's reply to Carsten H.'s review of the game, but I still maintain that this product would better serve itself and its buyers by being upfront with the game's nature.

Sascha WFebruary 15, 2017 5:54 pm UTC

PURCHASER

Agreed. I read of the downward spiral and instantly knew: I can't play it with my players like that.
They know the risk of character death, of course, but they want to be able to be victorious in the end.

Chad WFebruary 24, 2017 12:57 am UTC

PUBLISHER

Hi Sascha! Thanks for supporting the game!

An easy hack to make the game more heroic for the table is to replace Risk Eater assassinations with "Big Campaign Events"... the arch-duke gets assassinated, a zombie pandemic happens, orcs invade, etc.

Yuri LNovember 06, 2017 9:42 pm UTC

PURCHASER

Oh wow, that's actually really clever.

Gyurics GJanuary 26, 2017 8:18 pm UTC

PURCHASER

As someomne who's enthusiastic about cryptography, I'm so happy you guys did this book. I surprised myself with the pdf to commemorate the raise I just got. I do wonder if you guys plan to come up with cryptographic themes in a more modern environment - like a cyberpunk setting in the near future, or in a fictional scifi world. Playing out the themes of a survailence state vs. anarcho-cryptographic movements, the now so important dilemma between security and privacy, would be tons of fun. AND educational on both cryptography and modern problems as well. I can imagine a Snowden-style whistleblowing story as a quickstart adventure. I bet it would sell great, and would start important discussions around players.

Well, I'm most certain I will have tons of fun with Cryptomancer as well!

Chad WJanuary 26, 2017 9:05 pm UTC

PUBLISHER

Thanks Gyurics! We're pleased you dig the game. The chapter called "The Father of Space and Time," and the game's Outro, are basically a fantasy retelling of the Snowden story. I hope you enjoy.

We're working on something modern, high budget, and totally outrageous, and hope to launch by end of 2017. Stay tuned.

Peter CJanuary 22, 2017 9:20 pm UTC

PURCHASER

As someone who knows a reasonable amount about security I found this a bizarre fusion of ideas. The book starts with the idea that information security has been underserved by traditional fantasy. Which if you dissect the statement, it verges on the ridiculous. I might as well have said that cellular communications have been underserved by 1930s film noir. So the background bolts on a pseudo-networking concept, and then proceeds to expound on issues such as asymmetric and symmetric encryption with the ruthless efficiency of an introduction to security textbook. It seems to be selling well, and I salute the writers for taking the bold step of bringing together two completely unconnected niches. However while I bought it I found the whole thing an unsatisfying, and frankly tedious exercise. There's a reason that the fantasy trope exists, and while there's nothing wrong with pushing the boundaries in this direction (say as in Numenera with its datasphere) this one felt cobbled together. I'd also add that it felt...See more like work, but that's a purely personal gripe. So gutsy, but one thing really doesn't go with the other; at least in this particular game.

Chad WJanuary 26, 2017 3:19 am UTC

PUBLISHER

Bummer! Sorry you didn't dig, but thank you for taking a chance on an indie title.

Peter CFebruary 01, 2017 7:30 pm UTC

PURCHASER

Hey. You guys did the work - I know many people will derive enjoyment from it. Regardless of my thoughts I only wish you the best.

Aaron MDecember 30, 2016 10:04 am UTC

PURCHASER

As someone who has been content to borrow game books from friends in the past, I'm very happy to be able to buy a copy of this for myself (pdf, there's not much room in my flat for dead trees).

I work on a project called CryptPad (cryptpad.fr), and I greatly appreciate the work the authors have done to make Cryptography more accessible to a wider audience. I'll be sure to spread the word about this!

Chad WJanuary 07, 2017 3:48 pm UTC

PUBLISHER

That's fantastic to hear. Thank you for supporting the game, and doing your own work to protect privacy and personal liberty.

Casey FAugust 17, 2016 3:05 pm UTC

So it says that you've got the orc killing covered, but I'm finding little or nothing about how physical combat works in the game. Maybe I just missed it? This game looks amazing otherwise!

Chad WAugust 18, 2016 12:08 am UTC

PUBLISHER

Thank you for buying a copy and I'm glad you like what you see! There is a chapter called Combat covering the basics. There is a chapter called Threats cover various adversaries, including orcs. There is a chapter called Talents, covering many, many things that make characters unique, including a handful of fun combat perks. There is a chapter called Magic, which includes a handful of traditional fantasy spells (fireball, etc.), though most have an emphasis on espionage/stealth. All those together = all the fantasy violence you can stomach.

Casey FAugust 18, 2016 1:29 am UTC

Haven't actually purchased the game. I wasn't clear in my original comment... I was looking for previews that might explain those systems a little. Not that it matters much, as the game looks cool enough to buy regardless. Thanks for the reply!

Matthew JAugust 18, 2016 3:23 pm UTC

PURCHASER

Check out my review to go over the mechanics including a limited combat scenario.

Lukman SAugust 06, 2016 7:33 pm UTC

PURCHASER

I see two files with the same name. Is there a difference between them?

Chad WAugust 08, 2016 4:45 am UTC

PUBLISHER

One has bookmarks, the other doesn't. Sorry for the confusion, I will remove the non-bookmark copy soon.

Chad WJuly 31, 2016 4:14 pm UTC

PUBLISHER

Added Bookmarks to the PDF.

Also, if you are a customer who accidentally ordered the Hardcover instead of the Hardcover/PDF combo, contact us at cryptomancer.actual [AT] gmail [dot] com.

Jeremy CJuly 31, 2016 9:54 am UTC

PURCHASER

Please please please add bookmarks to your PDF.

Chad WJuly 31, 2016 12:15 pm UTC

PUBLISHER

That's fair! We'll start working on that. Pretty sure that when we push changes to the PDF, there is an option to notify folks who bought it already to re-download the new version.

One of my favorite purchases from recent memory. I bought the PDF, just to read it because the reviews said it would generate new ideas, then after a half day consuming all this book had to offer I went and got the POD. Without a doubt what is presente [...]

Quick Review
Buy this game, it's at the very least I source of different ideas, and maybe you'll also get a lot more out of it, like I have. Detailed Review
Do RPG mechanics sometimes get in the way of game fl [...]

I recently have had some chances to play Cryptomancer from the player perspective and I've grown to like it. Cryptomancer is essentially a cross of cryptosecurity and dark fantasy. It has a simplistic character creation system and with a good GM, can [...]

I approached this game with a slight hesitation, because this concept is so... different. I grew up playing DnD and other high fantasy games, and I grew up playing Shadowrun and other cyberpunk games. Both very different, both amazing in their own righ [...]

Ten years since I last rolled a dice in an RPG, and this is the game that's finally lured me back. It takes a setting we all know - sword and sorcery fantansy - and adds a new layer that's smart, creative, and remarkably unique. No other game, that [...]

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